RFID Location Beacon for RTLS Accuracy

Ekahau has created small mobile battery-powered transmitters, location beacons, to improve location accuracy where poor Wi-Fi coverage exists. ...

... "But in areas where there is marginal or poor wireless coverage, Ekahau location beacons can help improve location accuracy to levels previously available with expensive, proprietary systems not based on standard Wi-Fi technology. For a typical hospital environment, Ekahau location beacons can guarantee bed- and room-level accuracy in areas with poor Wi-Fi coverage, without the need to install additional Wi-Fi access points. Ekahau Wi-Fi tags recognize these location beacon signals and transmit the signal data to the RTLS server, which calculates the precise location of the Ekahau tags. The location beacons are typically mounted on a wall. Because they do not require any cabling, the location beacons can be moved around as needed to improve accuracy for a period of time or installed permanently in specific locations. " ...

Via Ekahau: Location Beacon

Motorola RFID RTLS Solution

Motorola launches its real-time location solution enabling the Wireless Next Generation (Wi-NG) architecture. The RFID-enabled solution creates a Real-time Location System (RTLS) that supports location awareness. Moto is promoting standards-based application programming interfaces for this solution to enable third party business capabilities. ...

... "Powered by the embedded RTLS engine, the Motorola Wi-NG architecture enables accurate location determination and presence detection capabilities for Wi-Fi-based devices, Wi-Fi-based active RFID tags and passive RFID tags. The solution can be deployed by small, medium and large organizations using Motorola’s full RF Switch portfolio in both indoor and outdoor environments. Motorola’s location solution is both RF- and tag-agnostic, and includes built-in location determination algorithms that can integrate data from third-party location engines. An industry-standard application level events (ALE) interface allows developers to create location-based business applications using location data. Capable of processing many location technologies simultaneously and delivering the data with a single XML-based interface, Motorola’s RTLS offers customers the most comprehensive and flexible location solution on the market. " ...

Via Motorola: Comprehensive Location Solution

Mine RFID Wifi Tags

Active Control Technology receives regulatory approval of its ActiveMine WiFi RFID tags that support wireless communications and location tracking for the mining industry. ...

... "The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has approved ActiveMine's RFID Wi-Fi Tags as intrinsically safe. The RFID Wi-Fi tags are a key component of the system that enable accurate and real-time tracking of people and assets and also offer auxiliary two-way messaging capability. " ...

Via Active Control Technology Inc: ActiveMines Rfid WiFi Tags

Asset Management RFID Reader

ThingMagic introduces the Astra RFID reader and antenna that is designed and targeted for use in the asset management market. ...

... "Astra's low profile, unobtrusive design, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) and WiFi options make it ideal for asset management in offices, healthcare facilities and other environments where ease of installation and deployment flexibility are essential for solution success. Driven by ThingMagic's Mercury5e embedded reader module, Astra has a read range of up to 30 feet for Generation 2 RFID tags, and can read over 190 tags per second. Fully supporting ThingMagic's enterprise-class MercuryOS software, Astra’s network management and security features include DHCP for configuration and firmware management, and SSL/SSH–based security. " ...

Via ThingMagic: Astra RFID Reader Simplifies Asset Management

AT&T RFID Healthcare Solution Offers Complete Infrastructure

AT&T offers turnkey solution for the healthcare industry that accelerates implementation through standard set of infrastructure. ...

... "AT&T is the first network services company to provide a comprehensive RFID solution for the health care industry. The company is offering the devices, infrastructure and systems needed for full-scale tracking applications - everything from tags and software to networks and data storage. In addition, the solution generates customized reports that can be used to enhance patient safety, increase operational efficiency and improve financial performance. More specifically, it provides a Wi-Fi-enabled location-based service to track equipment, devices and patients. For example, a hospital staff can track the current or a historical location of mobile assets - such as blood pressure monitoring devices, EKG machines, gurneys, infusion pumps, crash carts, computers-on-wheels, wheelchairs and laptops - from a Web browser. The solution will also alert health care staff if at-risk patients have wandered or been moved from their room. In addition, employees can use the data to manage mobile asset inventory across a single health care facility or multiple sites. " ...

Via AT&T: RFID Solution for Health Care Organizations

RFID Location Tracking in Elder Care

AeroScout and Surecom collaborate to implement nmedical alerting system for PresCare, an Australian elder-care provider. The solution uses RFID technology to provide track the status of elderly residents at one of its senior residential sites in Queensland, Australia. ...

... "Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tags along with its enterprise location tracking software, MobileView. These products communicate with the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure at the facility and are linked with each staff member's mobile handheld device as well as several flat screen monitors throughout the complex. AeroScout's unique Exciter products add enhanced high-accuracy detection at choke points such as doorways and exits. The AeroScout and Surecom solution is based on a set of configurable location-based rules, which trigger alerts when transgressed. These rules could include an at-risk resident wandering within a dangerous location, lack of movement for a configurable amount of time, a self-alerting button, or many others. Whenever an alert is triggered, an on-call nurse is immediately notified through their handheld device. " ...

Via AeroScout: PresCare Deploys AeroScout Wi-Fi RFID Solution for Patient Safety and Medical Alerting

RFID Laptop Asset Management

Axcess implements RFID asset management system at Universidad Regiomontana in Mexico to secure laptops. ...

... "The University deployed Axcess' ActiveTag RFID physical computer asset protection solution in January 2006 with the goal of reversing asset theft and enhancing personnel tracking. Prior to implementation the university suffered a rate of 10-15 percent in laptop thefts on a regular basis. Following the use of the system, the thefts have been reduced to zero.

Axcess' patented ActiveTagTM RFID/RTLS and sensing systems use small, re-usable battery-powered tags (generically called Dual-Active tags) that when automatically activated, transmit a wireless message typically 30 to 100 feet to hidden palm size receivers. The receivers are connected via standard network simultaneously to the enterprise system software, the existing security alarm equipment, and standalone middleware and end-user software provided by Axcess under the OnlineSurpervisor label. With tags being activated only on-demand and only at control point locations, the system is highly reliable and accurate, with the tags lasting five years or longer depending on the battery being used. The Axcess Control Point architecture has been found to be more reliable than other local positioning methods using Wi-Fi systems or signal strength measurements. Its activation-based positioning can determine if an asset has left a secured area down to 1 foot of accuracy and can also determine its direction. The system alerts responsible personnel on an exception basis, freeing up asset management personnel for other critical tasks. Axcess recently introduced a new, low profile high-powered RFID asset tag measuring only 1in by 3in by 1/4in high. It is uniquely capable of reliably tagging solid metal IT assets, a feat typically difficult for wireless tags. " ...

Via Axcess: RFID Stops University Laptop and Identity Thefts

Active RFID Tags Compatible With Cisco CCX Format

AeroScout WiFi tags are now compatible with Cisco's CCX tag format. Location functionality can be added to Wi-Fi networks easily. ...

... "The Cisco CCX tag format builds upon the Wi-Fi beaconing tag method that AeroScout and Cisco jointly pioneered. It is a new standard for communication from Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tags, which delivers location information and other valuable data to the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance. The beaconing method eliminates the need to associate with the Access Point and enables AeroScout's asset tracking solutions to easily scale to tens of thousands of tags without negatively impacting the Wi-Fi network. For example, one recent AeroScout installation uses this method to enable over 15,000 AeroScout tags to operate on a Cisco Unified Wireless Network. Other non-CCX tags that require an association method of continuous back-and-forth communication are severely limited in scalability and drain network resources." ...

Via AeroScout: Enhanced Location and Sensor Capabilities With Cisco

Active RFID Asset Tag Supports WIFI RTLS

WhereNet's multimode WhereTag(TM) IV active RFID asset tag is available. The WhereTag IV ISO 24730 mode can be applied in indoor or outdoor environments, and the IEEE 802.11 mode supports applications requiring lower precision in more stable, radio frequency (RF) friendly environments. ...

... "Supporting both ISO 24730 and IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi)-based real-time locating system (RTLS) applications, the WhereTag IV works with WhereNet's integrated wireless architecture for real-time location, messaging, telemetry, and workforce communication applications, providing constant asset visibility with the degree of location accuracy matched to the enterprise customer's specific business requirements. " ...

Via WhereNet: Multimode Active RFID Real-Time Locating System Tag

WiFi RFID Tags Track High-Value Parcels in UK

AeroScout, Inc. deploys asset tracking tags for City Link, an express parcel delivery firm in the UK's, that focuses on high-value delivery services. City Link is seeing benefits in its overnight trucking schedule which helps it sustain industry-leading delivery performance. ...

... "In the first stage of deployment, AeroScout and its UK Partner JDH Consultancy Limited installed 15,000 specially designed Wi-Fi tags with an extended battery life, which will be used at City Link's depots around the UK. These rugged, Wi-Fi-standard tags jointly designed by AeroScout and JDH Consultancy Limited are being used to manage the company's dynamic inventory of roll-cages, which house and protect its high-value parcels during transit. At any moment in time, up to 300,000 parcels in 15,000 cages at 70 UK locations can be monitored and located in real-time from City Link's National Distribution Centre in Wednesbury, West Midlands over the City Link Cisco Wi-Fi network. By maintaining accurate and real-time visibility of roll-cages, City Link has improved the efficiency and speed of its delivery services. " ...

Via Aeroscout: AeroScout Delivers World's Largest Wi-Fi-Based Active RFID Tag Deployment to City Link ...

Active RFID Tag: AeroScout T3 Advances Track and Trace

AeroScout Inc. introduces its AeroScout T3 Tag, an advanced, active RFID tag for asset and people track and trace applications. New features are: Small size credit-card rugged form factor; Efficient power consumption provides efficient use of battery life up to 4 years; Seamless indoor-outdoor reliability provides integrated RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) and TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival) location options; And, choke point detection capability that enables the active RFID tag to be triggered at doorways, gateways or enclosed areas. ...

... "The AeroScout T3 Tag builds on the company's innovation and expertise as the creator of both the market's original Wi-Fi tag, and the current market-leading T2 Tag. The T3 Tag combines the proven benefits of AeroScout's asset tracking capabilities with a new streamlined, flat shape, low power consumption, and advanced capabilities to meet a wide variety of customer needs. " ...

Via Aeroscout: AeroScout Launches T3 Series Wi-Fi-Based Active RFID Tag ...

Active RFID Evolution Accelerates

Active RFID technology is seeing increased extension of its capabilities. A number of sensor and sensing functions are being introduced. As well as communications features raning from WiFi to satellite communications. ...

... "These are typical examples of how active RFID technology is evolving much faster than passive RFID technology and creating many exciting new applications and profit opportunities for companies of all sizes. " ...

Via Sys-Con: Link

Upcoming conference will focus on Active RFID technology.

RFID Middleware: Automate Integrate ...

Reltronics Technologies has made their system, SmartInstrument, a versatile middleware for automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, widely available in the marketplace. Reltronics strengths lie in automation and identification using remote RFID technology. The SmartInstrument middleware system plays a role in supporting interoperability and integration of multiple, potentially incompatible, solutions. ...

... "One of Reltronics Technologies' fortes is in creating and supporting RFID systems that assist in automating asset and inventory management, identifying drug pedigrees, etc. and which rely upon storage and remote retrieval of data using RFID hardware (Readers, Antennas, Tags or Transponders). Retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target have whole-heartedly accepted the RFID concepts to implement efficiencies in their workflow and to limit inventories in their warehouses and they have subsequently initiated mandates to their vendors to implement RFID technology in their supplies within set timelines. These mandates are allowing shorter timelines and the industry not only needs many new deployments but also sustain existing deployments. SmartInstrument is a step forward to facilitate transparency in the RFID systems deployment thereby bringing commonality between various RFID protocols and hardware technologies (reader, antenna, and transponders or RFID tags), irrespective of the technology being new or old.

For instance, SmartInstrument enables end-users to deploy new RFID systems while seamlessly supporting all existing RFID systems and eliminating the need for single- sourcing thereby achieving a better return of investment. It fills the need by interpreting any RFID system utilizing any reader (Active, Passive), working on any frequency (LF, HF, VHF, UHF), with any communication protocol (Ethernet, WiFi, RS-232, RS-485), any transponder (Active, Passive), and any standard (EPCGlobal, ISO, AIMGlobal) bringing the much needed commonality into the RFID infrastructure. Reltronics Technologies' focus on bringing interoperability and sustainability into the RFID technology environment is the result of industry satisfaction with the RFID initiative, to enable overcoming the customer perception of which RFID technology to deploy, to enable commonality between the various RFID protocols, to enable a more cost-effective RFID system deployment, and finally to allow the end-users to start small with one RFID system and expand at their own financial pace without having to worry about the RFID system being antiquated. " ...

Via Reltronics: A Novel Idea to Harmonize Automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems ...

UWB RFID Hospital Tracking System ...

Parco Wireless plans next-generation of RFID ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking system targeted for healthcare environments. ...

... "Precis incorporates Time Domain Corporation's Pulson ultra-wideband technologies in its design. The new line will include a full suite of products that include assets tags, patient wristbands, personnel badges and two design type readers. According to company leadership, the new Precis tags and receivers will help dispel all misconceptions about the higher cost of implementing a UWB tracking system. While the cost of UWB tracking technologies were historically higher when compared to competing technologies such as Infrared (IR) or WiFi systems, many hospitals felt compelled to hold off on implementing a UWB active RFID tracking system despite the superior benefits UWB systems offered.

The locations of the tags are tracked by UWB readers installed at fixed locations within a medical facility providing the location of patients, caregivers, and equipment within accuracy of 1.5 feet. The tags use extremely low-power as evidenced by their average life of over four years using a single 3 volt battery. " ...

Via Parco Wireless: Parco Wireless Set to Release World Class Tracking System ...

RFID WiFi Active Tag: Asset Tracking ...

AeroScout updates its active WiFi-capable RFID tag with sensor capabilities to upgrade its asset tracking performance. ...

... "AeroScout, Inc., the leading provider of Wi-Fi-based Active RFID visibility solutions, announced several enhanced features and capabilities for its AeroScout T2 Tag which are unique and unparalleled in the market. The T2 tag is the industry's leading Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tag for asset tracking and management, with tens of thousands of units being shipped each month to customers around the globe. New features on the AeroScout T2 Tag include a built-in temperature monitor and motion sensor, for unmatched asset management capabilities. The motion sensor provides transmission control based on movement of the tag, improving real-time location accuracy and enabling a 4+ year battery life in most customer environments. The temperature sensor provides an additional stream of asset management data for environment-sensitive assets, enabling the tag to wirelessly trigger a remote alert if the temperature goes above or below a certain threshold. In addition, advanced call button and LED functions, intrinsically safe and electromagnetic certifications on the tag, and extendable battery life (up to 8 years) all enable customers to further enhance their asset management capabilities. " ...

RFID WiFi Active Tag: Asset Tracking: Via AeroScout: AeroScout Enhances Industry's Leading Wi-Fi-Based Active RFID Tag ...

RFID Location Management Solution ...

RFID location management solution leverages WIFI networking. ...

... "With PanGo Network's 802.11-based active RFID location management solution distributed over the MobileAccess Universal Wireless Network, companies can reliably extend location-based services on a facility-wide basis. This capability enables operations executives at hospitals and other large enterprises to leverage their wireless infrastructure investment to quickly locate critical equipment and improve staff efficiency. It also provides the peace of mind that comes from buying from trusted technology providers. " ...

RFID Location Management Solution: Via PanGo Networks, Inc.: MobileAccess and PanGo Team to Add Location-Aware Capability to Enterprise Wireless Networks ...

WIFI RFID System on Chip ...

G2 Microsystems introduces RFID system on a chip that supports WIFI networking standards. ...

... "G2 Microsystems Inc., a developer of integrated circuits for the Mobile Resource Management (MRM) market, announced an ultra low-power, active radio frequency identification (RFID) System-on-a-Chip (SoC) that leverages the widely-deployed Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) network infrastructure. By using this existing infrastructure, G2 Microsystems SoC enables businesses to install asset tracking systems at a fraction of the cost of today's solutions resulting in at least a 75% reduction in total cost of ownership. Additionally, the chip's integrated support for multiple location technologies and environmental sensing coupled with ultra low-power consumption enables a new class of tags that will open the door for global MRM services in many enterprise applications.

Mobile resource management is a fast-growing market that uses RTLS to track and monitor assets both inside and outside of facilities. The Yankee Group forecasts the global RTLS market will grow to $1.6B by 2010, fueled by deployments in healthcare, manufacturing and logistics. Targeted at the RTLS market, G2 Microsystems' G2C501 Wi-Fi Active RFID SoC is a very flexible solution that enables a broad range of customer types to tailor systems to their specific application at a very low total cost of ownership. The chip is currently being incorporated into leading RTLS solutions including those from Ekahau and PanGo Networks. " ...

WIFI RFID System on Chip: Via G2 Microsystems: G2 Microsystems Significantly Reduces Cost of Asset Tracking Systems with Industry's First Wi-Fi RFID System-on-a-Chip: Leading Real-Time Location System (RTLS) Providers, Ekahau and PanGo Networks, Plan to use G2 Microsystems' Chip ...

RFIDTags ChildSafety Japan: Aeroscout ...

AeroScout supports child safety in Japan through the application of RFID and WIFI technologies. ...

... "The system, which utilizes AeroScout's T2 Tag with Call Button, has been developed to reduce accidents and crime involving Japanese schoolchildren. The new service uses standard Cisco Wi-Fi access points to accurately locate children wearing AeroScout tags during their walk to and from school. Automobile drivers are alerted to the presence of nearby children through a voice service, to reduce accidents in residential city areas. When a child reaches pre-set points along their route, the system will notify their guardian. In addition, a child can call for help by pressing the Call Button on the AeroScout tag, which will immediately alert their guardian. " ...

RFIDTags ChildSafety Japan: Aeroscout: Via AeroScout: AeroScout Call Button Tag Provides Wi-Fi Tracking Solution For Child Safety: AeroScout Japan Joins Nissan and NTT for Innovative Wireless Location Tracking and Security Service ...

Tag: RFID

Cognio RFID Spectrum Analysis: Wireless Management ...

Cognio expands its technology for spectrum analysis to support wireless management of RFID devices. ...

... "The unlicensed bands are becoming increasingly congested as more devices, and types of devices, are now available and in use. Wireless networks are also proliferating at a staggering rate, with the leading networks leveraging the unlicensed band for RFID and WiFi. This makes managing these networks and devices challenging for wireless IT managers as they operate in the most difficult spectrum to control -- the unlicensed spectrum, where these networks must compete for resources with other devices that use these frequencies. To combat the growing problem, network professionals need tools that can quickly troubleshoot the physical layer. For RFID networks, the need is to be able to determine whether there are interfering devices and to test to verify the power transmitting from RFID readers as either can significantly undermine network availability and reliability. For WiFi, the problem is to ensure that connectivity problems are not being caused by physical layer problems. In both cases, Spectrum Expert solves these problems by enabling wireless IT manager to identify and locate interfering devices quickly before they can bring down or impact the network. " ...

Cognio RFID Spectrum Analysis: Wireless Management: Via Cognio: Cognio Expands Spectrum Expert Product Family to Include RFID Product ...

Additional resources on RFID spectrum analysis:

Tektronix: Applications > RF > RFID: "The main purpose of this application note is to demonstrate using a Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer to evaluate an RFID system's compliance to ISO/IEC standards as well as government regulations regarding intentional transmitters (i.e. FCC 47 part 15, ARIB STD-T82, and EN 300 330)."

Real-Time Spectrum Analysis In RFID Testing About RFID Transmission protocols Real time spectrum analysis: "The testing requirements for RFID signals cover not only the traditional RF measurements of frequency, spectral emissions, power and power versus time (because of the time-varying nature of the signal) but also analysis of the short bursts of modulation. The situation is further complicated by the fact that signals are present only for a short time, have vastly differing power levels and could even be frequency-hopping."

Spectrum Analyzer measures 3 distinct frequency bands., Berkeley Varitronics System: "Interfacing with iPAQ PocketPC, RF-calibrated BumbleBee measures 2.400-2.500 GHz, 5.150-5.900 GHz, and FCC designated Public Safety band of 4.940-4.990 GHz. Spectrum analysis features include 3 waveform traces, peak hold, peak search, and user-selectable packet/interference triggers. Unit allows on-the-fly switching of bands for real-time spectral analysis of wireless standards including RFID, VoIP, 802.11, cordless phones/ video, and broadband public safety data networks."

Wifi Active RFID Solutions: RTLS ...

Wifi Active RFID Solutions: RTLS: Via AeroScout: AEROSCOUT AND ALANCO INTRODUCE INDUSTRY’S FIRST TAMPER-PROOF WI-FI ACTIVE RFID TAG: Partnership Delivers Wi-Fi-based Location Solution to Corrections Industry ...

... "AeroScout, Inc., the market leader in the field of Wi-Fi based Active RFID solutions, announced a partnership with Alanco Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALAN) to develop and deliver a 2.4 GHz real-time location solution (RTLS) for the corrections industry. The two companies have successfully completed joint development on the industry's first tamper-proof Wi-Fi Active RFID tag, and deployed the first pilot site for a European prison customer. ... Through the partnership, AeroScout and Alanco have developed an extension to Alanco's successful TSI PRISM tracking system, which provides real-time identification and tracking of inmates and officers within corrections facilities, both indoors and out. The system can accurately locate and identify any person wearing a small wireless tag device, and this information is integrated into prison monitors. It handles common prison complexities such as a multi-floor, mixed indoor/outdoor environment, as well as the need for cell-level accuracy (using AeroScout's compact Exciter choke point device.) The two companies have developed the industry’s first Wi-Fi-based RFID tag with tamper-proof capabilities. The tag, which can be read by standard Cisco wireless access points, immediately detects any attempt to remove or tamper with it. The joint development efforts have also enabled the TSI PRISM system to now use the popular Wi-Fi standard (2.4 GHz) as a communications protocol. The system was designed to be extended to other environments with similar needs, such as psychiatric facilities. " ...

RFID LocationBased Services: Health Watch ...

Tom Taulli explores the use of technology in municipalities, such as RFID technology in public health services. ...

RFID LocationBased Services: Health Watch: Via Forbes: Keeping Up With Cedar Rapids ...

... "With location-based services, a city can offer a health service where Alzheimer patients wear watches with RFID [Radio Frequency Identification] tags in them so that a lost patient can quickly be found in the city, said PanGo's CTO Richard Barnwell. " ...

Ubisense Sensors: RFID Active Tags

Ubisense support accelerated customer growth in RFID and associated UWB sensor technology with process efficiency, tracking, and security. ...

Ubisense Sensors: RFID Active Tags: Via Ubisense: UBISENSE REPORTS 60 NEW CUSTOMERS AS DEMAND FOR HIGH ACCURACY INDOOR LOCATION TECHNOLOGY INTESIFIES: Ubisense enhances process efficiencies, space utilization and security for, healthcare, industrial, military and more ...

... "Ubisense provides innovative, sensor-driven technology that utilizes UWB to report person and asset location within one foot of accuracy. Small sensors are placed within the indoor environment and active tags worn by people or attached to assets provide location information that can be viewed in 3D. This location data can be used to determine the efficiency and security of any indoor space or training scenario. For instance, US-based DSCI provides live, virtual training scenarios for the Department of Defense (DoD) training centers. DSCI needed high resolution indoor tracking capabilities for Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training. Finding that WiFi and Radio Frequency ID (RFID) systems do not offer the near-precise accuracy and reliability required by the DoD, DSCI turned to Ubisense. " ...

Ubisense provides location-aware, sensor-driven technology that increases the usability and security of space. Ubisense utilizes advanced ultra-wideband (UWB) to deliver real-time location data within one foot of accuracy to more than 60 customers spanning workplace, healthcare, industrial and military organizations worldwide. The company is headquartered in Cambridge , England with offices in Denver , Colorado and Dortmund, Germany.

RFID Secure Mesh Network ...

RFID Secure Mesh Network: Via The Manufacturer.com: Safe and sound

Article explores the security aspects of wireless networking and the application of technologies, such as WIFI, mesh networks, and RFID sensors ...

... "Chen invested the next four years in making Wi-Fi, the WLAN infrastructure on these ships, secure to FIPS 140-2 validation, and the customer was satisfied. Today they're developing secure Wi-Fi solutions with a mesh network, RFID, and sensor applications. " ...

Zigbee Sensors: RFID Wifi Bluetooth Competing ...

Zigbee Sensors: RFID Wifi Bluetooth Competing: Via Wired News: Tiny Sensors Run Forever (Almost)

Joanna Glasner writes about smart homes and Zigbee sensor specification ...

... "ZigBee, which operates over unlicensed public airwaves, is far from the only wireless specification vying for consumers' attention: Wi-Fi, RFID and Bluetooth also transmit data over short distances in unlicensed spectrum. " ...

Hospital RFID Bracelet Integrated Medical Record ...

Hospital RFID Bracelet Integrated Medical Record: Exavera Technologies Incorporated - Insight Comes from Information: eShepherd™ Combines WiFi and RFID Technologies to Maximize Patient Safety and Optimize Hospital Workflow ...

... "eShepherd's RFID bracelets contain a subset of the patient's electronic medical record, including a photograph for positive identification and medical history such as insurance information, vital signs, physician contact data and current medications. In addition to this intelligence, the bracelet communicates automatically with the hospital's information system through Exavera's wireless broadband premise router, eliminating the need for scanning and making the flow of data transparent to patients and caregivers. Working with a hospital's HIS and wireless input devices such as PDAs, tablet PCs, and laptops, eShepherd enables real-time, point-of-care read and write access to information contained in the bracelet and the hospital's database." ...

RFID Mine Equipment Tracking

RFID Mine Equipment Tracking: Inco Deploys AeroScout Visibility System for Wireless Location in Mining: Active RFID and Wi-Fi Solution to Enable Increased Operational Efficiency for Underground Mine ...

Aeroscout implements a Wifi RFID solution in an undergound mine for equipment tracking ...

... "AeroScout, Inc., a pioneer in the field of Enterprise Visibility Solutions, today announced that Inco, Ltd. has installed the company's Wi-Fi based Active RFID system, as the first phase of an equipment-tracking project inside an underground mine in Sudbury, Canada. Inco is using the mine's existing wireless infrastructure, along with AeroScout software, to evaluate tracking items affixed with AeroScout Wi-Fi based Active RFID tags. " ...

AeroScout provides award-winning enterprise visibility solutions that utilize Wi-Fi wireless networking standards to deliver accurate location-based solutions. The AeroScout system includes real-time location services (RTLS), long range active RFID, telemetry and choke-point visibility all in a single integrated cost-effective infrastructure. AeroScout's standards-based applications locate valuable assets and people in indoor and outdoor environments, enabling customers in numerous industries to drive revenues and cut costs. AeroScout is a privately held company based in San Mateo, CA.

NJ RFID TestIntegration Center ...

NJ RFID Test Integration Center: CAPE Systems and Open Terra Announce Northeast RFID Test and Integration Center ...

... "CAPE Systems Group, Inc., a leading provider of software technology for packaging design, pallet optimization, inventory and warehouse management, supply chain execution and order fulfilment, and Open Terra, a leading provider of wireless mobile platform technologies, announced that they would be establishing a state of the art RFID Test and Integration Center at CAPE's dedicated 15,000 square foot facility located in South Plainfield, New Jersey. CAPE is currently certified to provide Wal-Mart compliant RFID tagging solutions to its vendors Intel Corporation will provide equipment and infrastructure support for the new RFID Center, including servers based on Intel Itanium 2 and 64-bit Intel Xeon processors... " ...

Open Terra is establishing new benchmarks in the ever-changing world of mobile applications. Founded in 2002, the company helps enterprises achieve their wireless strategies by empowering remote workforces. The company's online, instant mobility solutions deliver unprecedented connectivity and access to information from databases, applications and Web services that will help businesses run more productively and profitably. With the worldwide emergence and explosive growth of 3G, RFID, WiFi, and WiMax wireless technologies, along with the Internet, Open Terra's advanced mobile enabling technology is positioned to meet this demand.

CAPE Systems is an international provider of supply chain management technologies. CAPE Systems offers a comprehensive range of software systems and tools, from packaging and pallet optimization software, RFID asset tracking, to integrated warehouse and inventory management solutions, pick-to-light systems, and transportation management systems for enterprise wide and collaborative supply chain optimization.

RFID WIFI Integration Location System ...

RFID WIFI Integration Location System: IBM Demonstrates AeroScout System at French Open

... "This solution is presented by IBM in partnership with AeroScout. Using a series of WIFI and RFID technologies, this service will provide a precise geolocation of the IBM resources involved in the organisation and reception of IBM's VIP customers. Supported by WiFi technologies, RFID, the Websphere software and IBM servers, antennas will indicate the position of the resources on a map and give the location of the IBM staff in the Roland-Garros alleys. This optimised and real-time staff management will allow for quick interventions. " ...

RFID Smart Cards Partnership ...

RFID Smart Cards: Ingenico and OTI Form Partnership in Secure Contactless Payment and Identification: Initial Deployments Will Support US Payment Market ...

OTI partners to advance RFID smart card technology for the US payment market ...

... "On Track Innovations Ltd, (OTI) (NASDAQ: OTIV; Prime Standard [Frankfurt]: OT5), a global leader in contactless microprocessor-based smart card solutions for homeland security and payments, announced a partnership with Ingenico North America. Ingenico and OTI will provide secure contactless solutions for the payment and identification markets. " ...

Established in 1990, OTI (NASDAQ: OTIV, Prime Standard: OT5) designs, develops and markets secure contactless microprocessor-based smart card technology to address the needs of a wide variety of markets. Applications developed by OTI include product solutions for petroleum payment systems, homeland security solutions, electronic passports and IDs, micro payments, mass transit ticketing, parking, loyalty programs and secure campuses. OTI has a global network of regional offices to market and support its products. The company was awarded the prestigious ESCAT Award for smart card innovation in both 1998 and 2000.

With a 26.5% market share, Ingenico is the world's largest provider of payment and transactions systems used by banking, retail, petroleum, transportation and government agencies to accelerate and secure the flow of electronic commerce. The Company's 1,300 employees working in 29 subsidiaries, as well as a network of a hundred partners and distributors, ship over 1.5 million payment terminals annually to more than 90 countries. Ingenico, through an annual investment of over 8 percent of revenues in research and development, is producing increasingly efficient and secure payment systems that incorporate the UNICAPT 32 architecture and the latest EMV standards. These systems leverage the most advanced technology available, including biometrics, touch technology, RFID, GSM/GPRS, WiFi and Bluetooth communications, providing our customers with an efficient and versatile array of transaction solutions. Ingenico leverages this expertise and technology to provide solutions in markets requiring, highly secure applications such as purchasing cards, e-procedures, prepaid card reloading and electronic transaction flow management. This investment had enabled Ingenico to enter the emerging markets of electronic ID scanning, microchip-based healthcare cards and supply-chain traceability.

Active RFID Location System ...

AEROSCOUT JAPAN SELECTED BY NEC SYSTEM INTEGRATION & CONSTRUCTION (NESIC) FOR WI-FI-BASED ACTIVE RFID LOCATION SOLUTION ...

... AeroScout, Inc., a pioneer in the field of Enterprise Visibility Solutions, toady announced that AeroScout Japan has been selected by NEC System Integration & Construction (NESIC), a subsidiary of NEC, to provide Wi-Fi-based Active RFID systems to the Japanese market. NESIC is targeting 5 billion yen ($46.6 million dollars) in sales of AeroScout products by 2008. This partnership continues AeroScout Japan’s tremendous growth and leadership in the Japanese market, also highlighted by recent collaboration with Oracle Japan and Cisco Systems. ...

AeroScout provides award-winning enterprise visibility solutions that utilize Wi-Fi wireless networking standards to deliver accurate location-based solutions. The AeroScout system includes real-time location services (RTLS), long range active RFID, telemetry and choke-point visibility all in a single integrated cost-effective infrastructure. AeroScout’s standards-based applications locate valuable assets and people in indoor and outdoor environments, enabling customers in numerous industries to drive revenues and cut costs. AeroScout is a privately held company based in San Mateo, CA. AeroScout Japan, based in Tokyo, is AeroScout’s master distributor in Japan.

RFID Optimize Patient Flow in Orthopedic Center

Lancaster General implements PeriOptimum and Radianse solution to optimize patient flow in new orthopedic center

... "Lancaster General Hospital is using a real-time workflow-management and patient location solution from industry partners PeriOptimum and Radianse to streamline patient throughput and optimize capacity in its new state-of-the-art Orthopedic Center. The solution integrates Radianse active-RFID location technology into PeriOptimum's PathFinder, a software application that collects patient, equipment and process-tracking data across perioperative care, then distributes the information via a hospital's intranet or the Internet and stores it for analysis.

When patients arrive at the center, they are assigned active-RFID location tags that identify where they are in real-time and their surgical status as they move through the perioperative process. The PeriOptimum/Radianse solution replaces an old manual-data-entry system with one that automatically enters the patient data into the network for quick and easy access by caregivers and administrators." ...

For more than 100 years, Lancaster General has been meeting the healthcare needs of Lancaster County in southeast Pennsylvania. Lancaster General is a hospital and a healthcare system with a reputation for excellence. The winner of numerous national and local awards, 563-bed Lancaster General Hospital employs more than 4,600 people and has more than 470 physicians and surgeons on its active staff. Lancaster General Hospital has won the Solucient Leadership Institute 100 Top Hospitals award for five years from 1997 through 2001 and been recognized by Hospital & Health Networks magazine's Most Wired Award in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PeriOptimum provides a broad range of products and services that help hospitals improve surgical throughput. Hospitals and surgicenters use the company's Perioperative Improvement Evaluation (PIE?) PathFinder? workflow management solution and Surgical Capacity Improvement Program (SCIP?) to create predictable and streamlined perioperative environments. The result is increased patient throughput, significantly improved physician, staff and patient satisfaction, and tremendous net revenue gains.

Radianse, Inc., Lawrence, MA, provides indoor positioning solutions (IPS) to track medical equipment, patients and staff, combining active-RFID with a patent-pending location algorithm to deliver the proven accuracy and return on investment hospitals require. Radianse adheres to an open systems approach to location solutions, shunning exclusive arrangements it sees as limiting effectiveness across a healthcare campus. Hospitals in the U.S. and Europe use Radianse solutions to reduce asset shrinkage and excess rentals and improve staff efficiency, resource utilization and overall safety, patient flow and workflow. The Radianse Ready? partner certification program provides training, support and warranties to ensure consistently high performance of Radianse location software, active-RFID-tags and LAN- or WiFi-ready receivers.

RFID Business Solutions for Automated Data Capture ADC ...

RFID Business Solutions for Automated Data Capture ADC: IDVelocity Introduces ADC Version 5.0

Product release supports accelerated implementation of traditional ADC and RFID-enabled business processes ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... ADC, with a number of significant enhancements to help users quickly and easily design, draw and deploy traditional data collection and RFID-enabled business ...

... IDVelocity, a leading developer of Auto-ID and Enterprise Mobility software, today announced the release of its fifth generation flagship product, IDVelocity ADC, with a number of significant enhancements to help users quickly and easily design, draw and deploy traditional data collection and RFID-enabled business solutions. Deployed in hundreds of sites worldwide since 1997, the ADC platform provides a rapid process development environment that connects users and machines to business processes and user and machine data to real-time business applications. The industry's most comprehensive RFID/Auto-ID solution, ADC is utilized to deploy Auto-ID processes crossing multiple technologies - RFID, barcodes, sensors, PLC's, scales, WIFI, cellular, and the Internet. ...

IDVelocity is a leading developer of Auto-ID and Enterprise Mobility software. Leveraging its industry experience and a unique understanding of customer application requirements, IDVelocity provides a rapid process development environment to support both directed and zero human intervention business processes. IDVelocity delivers a holistic approach to software development, providing a single platform for the creation, deployment and management of supply chain and mobile enterprise business processes and applications. Integrating barcode, sensor, RFID, cellular and internet data, processes and networks into one comprehensive solution, IDVelocity customers are able to transact large volumes of data quickly and assuredly in 24x7 operations, enabling them to improve asset visibility, reduce operating costs and improve organizational efficiencies. A member of EPCglobal US and a Microsoft Certified ISV Partner, IDVelocity's Auto-ID and Enterprise Mobility solutions are deployed in hundreds of locations worldwide.

Wifi Smart Card: Mobilisa Successfully Demonstrates Wi-Fi on Washington State ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... mobile software applications, wireless infrastructure installation, wireless LAN security evaluation, cell phone applications, smart card systems, advanced ...

Mobilisa is a leader in mobile and wireless systems for the government and military. It is a growing, dynamic software development company specializing in applications for mobile devices such as Pocket PC, Palm, cell phones, smart cards, and RF tags. Mobilisa provides complete services including consultation, custom mobile software, wireless infrastructure installation, wireless LAN security evaluation, cell phone applications, smart card systems, advanced research and development, and large system integration of wireless computer systems for the mobile professional.

Mobile RFID: Delta's Bag Handlers Go WiFi

From WXIA-TV, GA ... The technology is known as radio frequency identification, or RFID, and would enable airline workers to track down luggage electronically. ...

Exavera RFID: RFID Remedy for Medical Errors

From RFID Journal ... Exavera eShepherd combines RFID with Wi-Fi and voice over IP to deliver a single system to track patients staff and hospital assets. By Jonathan Collins May 28 2004 Start-up company has unveiled its eShepherd system which by combining RFID and Wi-Fi technology the company says can bring enormous savings to hospitals and healthcare centers across the U.S. ...

Exavera Technologies Incorporated combines wireless technologies to build advanced networks that enable the identification, location and tracking of people and assets and document interactions between them. Incorporated in June of 2003, Exavera is headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The company's management represents extensive experience in both communication technologies and the underserved markets Exavera's solutions address.

eShepherd™ combines a secure broadband network with the Vera-T™ family of intelligent, RFID-enabled bracelets, badges and asset tags. By integrating with a Hospital Information System (HIS), eShepherd enables positive patient identification, provides real-time patient, staff, and asset location, and ensures secure information delivery to the point of care. At the heart of eShepherd is the VeraFi™—Exavera’s wireless premise router. It enables realtime, secure communication between RFID and WiFi technologies and integrates with the existing IT infrastructure. The VeraFi is in constant communication with all Vera-T devices, including the Vera-T bracelet, enabling automatic and positive patient identification as the caregiver approaches the bedside. The Vera-T bracelet can also contain pertinent patient information, including contact data, photograph, insurance information, and select medical history. Through the wireless network, medical professionals securely access and update information on the hospital’s database, as well as the bracelet, in real time using WiFi-equipped PDAs, laptops, and tablet PCs. Internal firewalls and patent-pending encryption techniques ensure the highest level of security and HIPAA compliance.

Because eShepherd facilitates the paperless hospital system and has robust security features, it minimizes unauthorized or incidental disclosure – perhaps the primary objective of HIPPA. One of JCAHO’s most important mandates is the requirement of two forms of patient identification at the time of medication administration. In conjunction with the Hospital Information System, eShepherd can automatically validate the patient ID providing both methods of identification.

All members of the Vera-T family communicate automatically and wirelessly with the Exavera network. Authorized personnel can access and write pertinent information on the bracelets, badges, and tags in real time. With capacities up to 2 Megabytes, the Vera-T devices can contain files ranging from simple text to images. In addition to the application-specific information, each comes with a unique, factory-imprinted ID, ensuring accurate tracking of equipment and inventory as well as positive identification and location of individuals. The VeraFi series transmits via RFID to Exavera’s Vera-T™ family – a suite of RFID-enabled bracelets, badges, and asset tags that relay pertinent information including identity and current location. A single VeraFi is capable of supporting up to 500 Vera-T devices. The unit also communicates with wireless devices, such as PDAs, tablet PCs, laptops, desktop computers, WiFi telephones, and printers, via 802.11 a, b or g at speeds up to 54+ Megabits per second. Each VeraFi offers support for a full Class C network or 253 IP devices per LAN segment.

RFID Solution: National Scientific Announces Corporate Wireless Location Product ...

From Internet Telephony Magazine, CT ... tracking and location solutions such as ours 'piggyback' on this existing infrastructure and present compelling alternatives to expensive RFID solutions.". ...

NSC’s WiFi tracker developer tags are palm-sized WiFi radios intended for use with WiFi-based location tracking software applications. These units are designed to interface via an API with the WiFi Positioning Engine™ 2.x and to be attached to objects or people that need to be tracked.

RFID Technology: RFID to be used to track global post systems

From InSourced, UK ... Key to the project is radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. RFID uses small transponders that communicate to electronic receivers via radio waves. ...

Airgate Technologies is a development stage company specializing in wireless technologies. The Company designs and develops network applications utilized in WiFi ("hotspots") and RFID ("radio frequency identification") deployments. According to Allied Business Intelligence, annual shipment volume of RFID tags, or transponders, is expected to grow from 323 million in 2002 to several billion in 2007. RFID integration will occur at all levels -- government, manufacturing, distribution, health care, retail, even Homeland security. Retail giant Walmart is asking suppliers to attach RFID chips to their crates and cases of products. At this point, only those large shipping containers would be tagged, not individual products. Most suppliers have until 2006 to add the chips, but the top 100 suppliers have to do it by 2005, the retailer says.

RFID technology uses tags or transponders to transmit EPCs and communicate wirelessly to readers over radio frequency waves. Attached to physical objects, including items, cartons, pallets and containers, the tags uniquely identify objects. Readers receive data from the RFID tags via radio frequency waves once the tags are within reading range. This data is captured, accepted and executed against by RFID solutions, such as those offered by Manhattan Associates.

The Matrics RFID system is comprised of EPC-compliant RFID tags (Class 0 read only and read/write) and its new, multi-protocol reader (AR 400 RFID Reader), which is designed to enable real-time, seamless tag reading and writing capability for all EPC-compliant tags including Class 0 and Class 1. Matrics' RFID technology reads farther and faster and costs less than comparable systems, providing unsurpassed real-time visibility into products and assets in factories, distribution centers and retail outlets.

Wal-Mart announced plans back in June that it will require their suppliers to place EPC transponders on pallets and cases beginning in January 2005. RFID vendors finally got what they had asked for years ago: a public commitment from Wal-Mart.

Highlights of Wal-Mart's RFID system requirements are as follows:

- Transponders: Durable, temporary or permanent read-only 96-bit Class 0 (factory programmed), Class 0+ (read-write version of Class 0), or Class 1 version 1 (write once-read many) EPC-compliant transponders (supplier's choice dependent on number of turns). Existing 64-bit EPC are not compliant with the mandate. Wal-Mart noted they are driving toward Class 1 Version 2 whenever the specifications and compliant products are available.

- Antennas: 1 antenna required on each side of dock door/portal; 1 antenna above dock door; 1 antenna on each side or underneath a conveyor moving up to 600 ft/min for case tagging (cases have to be read 100% of the time at 540 ft/min).

- Readers: Should be agile (largely due to eventual migration to Class 1 version 2 EPC transponders that allow for one common protocol); be Power over Ethernet-based; have flexible output options and RF environment awareness; include security; and have the ability to disable unused features such as Web servers. More details on reader deployment are expected in the weeks and months ahead.

EM Microelectronic is a semiconductor manufacturer that designs and produces ultra-low-power, low-voltage, digital, analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for battery-operated and field-powered devices in consumer, automotive and industrial applications. The company's product portfolio includes RFID circuits and transponders, ultra-low-power microcontrollers, voltage reset ICs and microprocessor supervisors, regulators, smart card ICs, LCD drivers and displays, sensor and optoelectronic ICs, mixed analog and digital gate arrays and application- specific integrated circuits (ASICs). EM also produces LCD modules and offers bumping services.

RFID Company: National Scientific Corp. Announces Closing of Equity Funding

From Business Wire (press release) ... company intends to use part of the proceeds of the private placement to finance the continued development and marketing of its WiFi- and RFID-related Location ...

RFID Benefits: Usefulness of RFIDs worth the annoyance

From Boston Globe, Apr 12, 2004 ... By Hiawatha Bray 4 12 2004 Shall we begin accepting nominations for Most Annoying Wireless Technology - RFID... There are plenty to choose from already. We ve got our staticky unreliable cellphones and worse yet the irritating ring tones from our colleagues phones. There's also WiFi the short-range broadband system that's free in some places costly in others and totally absent when you really need it.

Nanotech, biotech at key juncture with RFID

From Boston Globe, MA ... Unlike RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology, Caveo's tag relies on a WiFi wireless network to know where it is. (RFID ...